Inter Milan beat Reggina to end dismal run

DPA Milan, March 9 (DPA) Serie A leaders Inter Milan have won 2-0 over lowly guests Reggina as they kicked off the celebrations for their 100th anniversary. After settling for two draws and conceding their first defeat of the season, Inter resumed Saturday their winning ways moving on to 64 points from 27 games, stretching to nine points their lead on Roma.

The Rome runners-up on Sunday may have a hard time moving back within six points as they visit a solid Napoli who last weekend edged Inter 1-0.

At the Giuseppe Meazza set up for the anniversary party, two wide headers from Reggina’s Franco Brienza and Inter’s Argentinian Hernan Crespo livened up the game before the hosts took the lead on 14 minutes through a spot kick.

The returning Zlatan Ibrahimovic converted it amidst the protests of Reggina defenders claiming that the flooring of Esteban Cambiasso took place outside the area.

The Reggio Calabria guests hardly seemed to be lying second last in the following 15 minutes as they threatened with good drives from Francesco Modesto, Paraguayan Edgar Barreto and Uruguayan Carlos Valdes, all of which were deflected by the in-form Julio Cesar.

As Reggina gradually lost steam, Inter were ruthless and secured their 19th win on 34 minutes through Argentinian Nicolas Burdisso, who nodded home a free kick curled from the left by Antonio Jimenez.

Salvatore Aronica found Julio Cesar ready to deflect his close-range shot on 40 minutes, while Ibrahimovic closed the first half slamming a free kick against the bar above a stunned Andrea Campagnolo.

Inter didn’t do much after the break, looking to save energies for a high-wattage Champions League match with Liverpool Tuesday. DPA